Introduction to Breast Augmentation in New York City

Breast augmentation, also known as a boob job, has become one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, with over 5 million women in the USA having undergone the surgery. In New York City, the demand for breast augmentation is high, as many women seek to enhance their body confidence and achieve a more balanced silhouette. The procedure involves either the transfer of fat from a part of the body or the use of breast implants or saline to enlarge the breasts. The most common method is the surgical approach using implants.

Benefits of Breast Augmentation

• Enhanced Confidence: Many women experience a renewed sense of self - confidence and empowerment after achieving their desired breast size and shape. For example, a woman who felt self - conscious about her small breasts may feel more comfortable in swimsuits or form - fitting clothing after the procedure.
• Improved Proportions: Breast augmentation can enhance overall body proportions, helping create a balanced silhouette that aligns with aesthetic goals. It can complement a woman's figure, making her look more harmonious.
• Customized Volume and Shape: With options for both saline and silicone implants in various shapes and sizes, surgeons can tailor each breast augmentation to achieve the look a patient desires. Some may prefer a more natural look, while others may want a more dramatic change.
• Rejuvenated Appearance: For women who have experienced volume loss due to aging, pregnancy, or weight changes, breast augmentation offers a way to restore fullness and create a youthful contour. It can reverse the effects of these life events on the breasts.
• Corrected Asymmetry: It can help address natural asymmetry, creating a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing breast shape. This is important for women who have one breast significantly smaller than the other.
• Broader Wardrobe Options: Many women find that achieving their ideal breast size opens up more choices in clothing, providing a comfortable and flattering fit in a wider variety of styles. They no longer have to struggle to find clothes that fit their breasts properly.

Key Considerations Before Breast Augmentation

Before undergoing breast augmentation, it is crucial for women to have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure, its risks, and its aftermath. Here are some important considerations:

1. Medical History: A detailed medical history, including allergies, current medications, and lifestyle habits such as smoking or alcohol consumption, should be discussed with the surgeon. Certain medications may need to be stopped weeks before the procedure, and smoking can significantly affect the healing process.
2. Realistic Expectations: Patients should have realistic expectations about the results of the surgery. While breast augmentation can enhance appearance, it may not completely change a person's self - image or solve other personal issues.
3. Implant Selection: There are two main types of breast implants: silicone and saline. Silicone implants more closely mimic the texture and feel of natural breast tissue, while saline implants have the advantage of potentially being placed through a slightly shorter incision. The choice depends on personal preference, body type, and the surgeon's recommendation.
4. Recovery Process: Understanding the recovery process is essential. It usually takes between six to eight weeks to recover fully, during which patients need to take rest, wear a recovery bra, take prescribed medications, and follow the surgeon's instructions carefully. They may also experience some pain, swelling, and tightness during this period.
5. Cost: The cost of breast augmentation varies depending on factors such as the type of procedure, the type of implants, and the surgeon's fees. It usually ranges from $3,900 to $6,000, but additional costs may include anesthesia, operating room fees, and post - operative care.

Top Breast Augmentation Hospitals and Surgeons in New York City

1. Dr. Nadia Afridi

Dr. Nadia Afridi is a well - known plastic surgeon in New York City, especially for breast augmentation. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Canada, an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She is specifically interested in women's health issues as they relate to plastic surgery.

Service Focus

Dr. Afridi's practice has a high focus on breast augmentation, with 36% of her services dedicated to this procedure. Other services include body contouring (27%), botox (9%), liposuction (25%), tummy tuck (2%), and other services (1%).

Patient Care and Experience

Patients praise Dr. Afridi for her professional yet friendly approach. She is always ready to answer patients' calls post - operation, and her staff is very helpful and accommodating. She takes into account four key considerations for breast augmentation surgery: the site of breast implant placement, the site of the incision to insert the breast implant, the type of implant (silicone or saline), and the size of the breast implant.

Cost

The estimated breast augmentation cost with Dr. Afridi is $8,900. She offers several breast augmentation procedures and uses a “try on the look” method to determine the best size and shape for patients. She is board - certified and accepts credit cards and insurance, but appointments are required.

2. Dr. Richard Swift

Dr. Richard Swift is a board - certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He completed his residency in general surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Short Hills, New Jersey. He performs a wide array of procedures to enhance one’s beauty, including breast augmentation, tummy tuck, and liposuction.

Service Focus

His practice has a relatively high focus on body contouring (49%), along with 18% on breast augmentation, 2% on botox, 7% on liposuction, 2% on tummy tuck, and 22% on other services.

Patient Care and Experience

Dr. Swift provides detailed consultations on surgical techniques, alternative treatments, and pre - and post - operative care. He is dedicated to delivering personalized, high - quality, one - on - one care to ensure patients' complete comfort and satisfaction. His team, from the receptionist to the operating room nurse and anesthesiologist, is caring and helpful.

Cost

The estimated breast augmentation cost with Dr. Swift ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. His price is fair compared to other board - certified plastic surgeons. He accepts credit cards and has over 25 years of experience, but appointments are by reservation only.

3. Dr. Adam Kolker

Dr. Adam Kolker is a double - board certified plastic surgeon in New York City. He specializes in cosmetic surgery of the breast, body, and face. His education and training span some of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world, including Harvard Medical School, New York University, and the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Service Focus

Dr. Kolker offers a wide range of breast procedures, with breast augmentation being a significant part of his practice. He also performs breast asymmetry correction, breast lift, breast reduction, breast reconstruction, fat transfer breast augmentation, tuberous breast correction, and more.

Patient Care and Experience

He is known for his knowledge, skill, and talent in the field of plastic surgery. Patients appreciate his friendly and helpful staff, and his office is clean and comfortable. However, some patients note that his staff answers their calls, rather than the doctor himself.

Cost

The estimated breast augmentation cost with Dr. Kolker ranges from $9,000 to $11,000. The cost is relatively high due to the combined effort of his surgical and anesthesia team, and the price also depends on the material used, with silicone breast implants being $1,000 more expensive than saline implants.

4. Dr. Darrick Antell

Dr. Darrick Antell is a renowned breast augmentation surgeon in New York City and a board - certified plastic surgeon. He has performed more than ten thousand plastic surgery procedures, including thousands of breast augmentation surgeries.

Service Focus

His focus is on providing high - quality breast augmentation surgeries with a focus on beautiful, long - lasting results, reduced risk of complications, and a look that is perfectly balanced with the patient's frame.

Patient Care and Experience

Dr. Antell is listed in multiple magazines as one of the best breast plastic surgeons in the country. He has a reputation for excellence in plastic surgery and is often recommended by former patients. His patients report high satisfaction with the results of their breast augmentations, and he and his staff provide personalized care throughout the process.

Cost

The cost of breast augmentation with Dr. Antell depends on various factors such as operating room and anesthesia fees, a consultation fee, and the surgeon's fee. Saline implants are the least costly option, but 85% of patients opt for the more expensive silicone implants. Patients are advised to reach out for a personal consultation to determine the full cost.

5. Lara Devgan, MD, MPH, FACS

Lara Devgan is a female plastic surgeon based in New York City. Her practice focuses on providing beautiful, natural results for breast augmentation patients.

Service Focus

She caters to women who want breast implants that are natural - looking, beautifully contoured, and comfortable, with a fast recovery and a subtle result. Many women seek her out because they prefer a female plastic surgeon who will be discreet about this sensitive topic.

Patient Care and Experience

During the consultation, Dr. Devgan examines, measures, and photographs the patient's breasts. She discusses the medical history and desires for surgery, shows samples of silicone and saline breast implants, and allows patients to “try on” different sizes of implants. Patients report positive experiences, with many being satisfied with the results and the relatively quick recovery process.

Cost

Specific cost details are not provided, but interested patients can contact her office at info@laradevganmd.com or call (212) 452 - 2400 to arrange a consultation.

Comparative Table of Surgeons

Understanding the Breast Augmentation Procedure

Pre - operative Process

Before the breast augmentation surgery, patients will go through a pre - operative process:

1. Consultation: This is a crucial step where the patient meets with the surgeon. The surgeon will perform a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's general health and medical history, assess the current condition of the breasts, and discuss the patient's expectations and desired outcome. Together, they will create a surgical plan, including the selection of the implant type, incision type, implant placement, and size. The surgeon will also explain the procedure, its risks, and the recovery process.
2. Medical Tests: Patients may need to undergo certain medical tests, such as blood tests and mammograms, to ensure they are fit for the surgery.
3. Preparation: Patients will be provided with instructions on how to prepare for surgery. This may include guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking cessation, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, iron tablets, and medications. They may also be given prescriptions that should be filled prior to the surgery. Additionally, patients need to arrange for someone to drive them home after the surgery and have support for the first few days of recovery.

The Surgery

The breast augmentation surgery typically involves the following steps:

1. Anesthesia: Breast augmentation is usually performed with local anesthesia and intravenous sedation or with another form of “twilight” sedation. A board - certified anesthesiologist will monitor the patient throughout the procedure to ensure safety.
2. Incision: The surgeon will make an incision in an area that will minimize visible scarring, such as below the crease near where the breast meets the chest, around the areola, or in the armpit.
3. Implant Placement: The surgeon will lift the breast tissue and skin to create a pocket, either directly behind the breast tissue (subglandular placement) or behind the pectoral (chest) muscle (submuscular placement). The implant will then be centered beneath the nipple. Placing the implant behind the chest muscle may reduce the risk of capsular contracture but may also add a few days to the recovery time.
4. Closure: Multiple layers of internal, dissolving sutures are used to close the incisions. The surgeon may place a layer of gauze and a bandage over the breasts to speed healing.

Recovery and Aftercare

The recovery process after breast augmentation is an important part of the overall experience:

1. Immediate Post - operative Period: After the surgery, patients will recover in a recovery suite while being monitored by a nurse. A specialized, long - lasting local anesthesia is used to decrease discomfort. Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure, so patients can usually return home the same day. However, they should have an escort as they will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the administration of anesthesia.
2. Initial Weeks: Patients may feel tired or sore in the first few days. They are usually advised to rest, wear a recovery bra, and take prescribed pain medications. Many patients can return to most daily activities within a few days, but strenuous exercise should be avoided for around two weeks. Swelling and tightness in the breasts are normal and will gradually subside over several months.
3. Follow - up Appointments: Patients will need to return to the surgeon's office for follow - up appointments. The first appointment is usually a day after the procedure to evaluate the healing process. The surgeon will monitor the patient's progress, check for any complications, and provide further instructions on aftercare.
4. Long - term Aftercare: Scars will gradually fade over time but will never completely disappear. Patients should continue to follow the surgeon's advice on caring for their breasts, such as breast massages to help the implants settle well. They should also have regular mammograms and follow - ups to ensure the long - term health of their breasts.